Today’s newsletter takes a look back at the most read stories in the Afternoon Docket this year. After all it's you, my very cool readers, who make this whole thing possible. (Thank you!)
The most-clicked story in the Afternoon Docket this year was Karen Sloan's look at the law schools with the lowest bar pass rates, which was published in March. Law schools were a hot topic in the newsletter this year. Stories about which schools were best for post-grad employment and Big Law jobs and the annual rankings were among the most-clicked. Looking ahead to 2025 and beyond, Sloan last week wrote about a majority of jurisdictions signing on for the new bar exam set to debut in 2026 and this week she delved into a "cascade effect" of fewer Black and Hispanic law students at elite schools.
You also loved reading our legal industry-focused coverage. Stories about summer associate recruiting hitting an 11-year low, Kirkland topping the M&A legal adviser rankings for the first time, and the saga of former U.S. District Judge Joshua Kindred in Alaska were all well-read. We also launched a new feature, Legal Fee Tracker which included a piece about a $24 million-a-year partner that sparked the most interest.
Donald Trump’s criminal cases were major topics in the newsletter this year, especially stories about what happens now that he’s president-elect. As for 2025, we’ll have a closer look at what to expect in the new year, but early pings on our radar include Nate Raymond's look at how Democratic-led states could face tougher legal pathways to challenge Trump's policies, and Trump's lawyers' broad approach to court battles with media companies.
And finally, you couldn't resist the legal battle over a $70,000 engagement ring. Spoiler: the court ruled that the would-be bride had to return it.
